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Hickleys - The business
with an outstanding past
»»Family owned key
blank and key cutting business
Hickleys, had a great deal to
shout about at this year’s MLA
show. Talking to Locksmith
Journal, managing director,
Robin Huish shared how the
company has developed its
products and services over the
years, and how it has ‘beefed’
up its customer support
through the introduction of
new products and services.
Hickleys spans three
generations of family, from
when the Taunton based
business was set up in 1932
by two like-minded business
entrepreneurs, H Hickley
and Leonard Meikle. The two
both ran garages and merged
their two businesses together.
Shortly after, Harold Towler, a
fully trained auto-electrician,
joined the business to help
carry out repairs on more
advanced vehicles of the time,
offering a whole new kind of
service.
At the same time, the
business also sold a range of
parts and spares, including
batteries and ignitions, and
by the late 1930’s the pair had
introduced a local delivery
service to their company
offering.
Mr Hinkley retired just
before the war in 1939, leaving
Leonard to continue running
the business. After the war
had ended sales of vehicle
parts soared, and by 1948 the
business became a Limited
company.
Early 50’s saw the move
to lar